Job Title: Workshop Production Manager
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Salary: £80,000 OTE
Reports to: Managing Director
Company: Specialist Vehicle Manufacturer
Direct Reports: Workshop Supervisors, Team Leaders, and up to 35 Industrial Engineers
Contract: Full‑time, Permanent - Monday to Friday - 7.00am-4.00pm
Role Overview
The Workshop Production Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of production operations within a specialist vehicle manufacturing environment. The role provides overall leadership of workshop activities, ensuring vehicles are manufactured to specification, on time, and in full compliance with homologation and industry safety standards.
The postholder will lead and manage a team of approximately 35 industrial engineers, covering fabrication, assembly, and production support functions. Using industrial engineering principles, the Workshop Production Manager will drive productivity, efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement, while maintaining the highest standards of health and safety.
Key Responsibilities
Workshop & Production Management
* Lead the day‑to‑day operation of the manufacturing workshop, ensuring production targets, quality standards, and delivery deadlines are met
* Translate production plans into clear daily and weekly schedules for fabrication and assembly teams
* Monitor workflow, identify constraints, and implement corrective actions to maintain throughput
* Ensure effective utilisation of labour, materials, equipment, and space
* Drive a culture of accountability, discipline, and operational excellence
Management & Leadership of Industrial Engineering Team
* Provide direct leadership and management of a team of approximately 35 industrial engineers
* Set clear objectives, performance expectations, and accountability aligned to business and production goals
* Allocate workloads, balance capacity, and ensure resources are deployed effectively
* Conduct regular one‑to‑ones, performance reviews, and annual appraisals
* Identify skills gaps and ensure appropriate training, certification, and development plans are in place
* Build and sustain a high‑performing team culture focused on quality, safety, and continuous improvement
Safety Leadership & Compliance
* Act as a visible and proactive safety leader across the workshop and engineering teams
* Ensure full compliance with HSE legislation, company policies, and safe systems of work
* Oversee risk assessments, method statements, and safe operating procedures for engineering and fabrication activities
* Promote a strong safety culture through toolbox talks, training, and behavioural safety initiatives
* Investigate incidents and near misses, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions implemented
* Ensure all machinery, tools, and fabrication processes are operated safely and compliant with regulations
Industrial Engineering & Process Optimisation
* Apply industrial engineering principles to optimise workflows, layouts, and production processes
* Define, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions
* Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and increase repeatability
* Conduct time studies, capacity planning, and process reviews
* Support new product introductions and changes to build processes
Sheet Metal Fabrication & Vehicle Assembly
Oversee all sheet metal fabrication activities, including cutting, forming, bending, welding, and finishing
Ensure fabrication and assembly activities meet engineering drawings, tolerances, and quality standards
Coordinate fabrication, sub‑assembly, and final vehicle build operations
Work closely with engineering and design teams to resolve build issues and improve manufacturability
Quality, Compliance & Homologation
Ensure all vehicles manufactured are compliant with relevant industry safety standards and homologation requirements
Support preparation of technical documentation, build records, and evidence packs for regulatory approval
Liaise with quality, engineering, and external authorities during audits, inspections, and certification activities
Ensure non‑conformances are addressed promptly and corrective actions verified
Maintain full traceability and production records to support compliance and quality assurance
Productivity, Efficiency & Performance Management
Drive productivity and efficiency across the workshop using data‑driven decision making
Monitor and report on KPIs including output, labour efficiency, quality, downtime, rework, and safety performance
Balance cost, quality, delivery, and safety to achieve optimal production performance
Report regularly to senior management on production status, risks, and improvement actions
Materials, Equipment & Cross‑Functional Coordination
Coordinate with procurement and planning teams to ensure material availability aligns with production schedules
Manage workshop equipment maintenance and support capital investment decisions
Work closely with operations, quality, engineering, and compliance teams to deliver integrated manufacturing outcomes
Requirements
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
Essential Experience
* Proven experience as a Workshop Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or equivalent in a vehicle, engineering, or fabrication environment
* Demonstrable experience leading large industrial engineering or production teams (30+ employees)
* Strong background in specialist or low‑volume vehicle manufacturing or major accident repair
* Hands‑on experience with sheet metal fabrication processes
* Solid understanding of industrial engineering principles
* Experience supporting homologation and compliance to vehicle safety standards
* Track record of driving productivity, safety, and continuous improvement in a regulated environment
Essential Skills & Knowledge
Strong leadership, people management, and decision‑making skills
Excellent planning, scheduling, and problem‑solving abilities
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
Strong working knowledge of UK/EU HSE and vehicle safety regulations
Data‑driven approach with experience using KPIs to drive performance
Confident communicator across engineering, production, and senior leadership teams
Desirable Qualifications
Degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering
Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma qualification
IOSH or NEBOSH Health & Safety qualification
Experience working within ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Production output versus plan
Labour efficiency and productivity
Quality and first‑time‑right build performance
Homologation and audit success
Health & Safety performance metrics
Continuous improvement and waste reduction outcomes
Benefits
£80,000 OTE
Hours 7am to 4pm Mon-Fri
Company Pension
Holiday allowance
To apply for this role please submit your full and up to date CV to Nigel McMinn at Pybus Recruitment